Japanese limited edition copperplate etching titled “Manpukuji Temple” by Tanaka Ryohei (b. 1933). Pencil-signed, dated 2002, and numbered 11/150 in the lower margin. Paper size about 12" x 10 1/4" (image: 8" x 6 1/2"). Excellent condition.
Chinese Song dynasty chrysanthemum form bowl with moulded radial grooves emanating from a circular center. The bowl is covered overall with an unusual glaze (possibly qingbai or celadon with significant burial adhesions) that stops well above the unglazed knife cut low foot. 4” diameter x 1 ½” high. Very good overall condition. The tiny areas at the rim where the glaze does not cover the body could be from the original production...
Large Qing dynasty scrolled painting on paper depicting the Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, also known as the Medicine Buddha or the Buddha of Healing, seated in the lotus position on a lotus throne holding a pearl in the left hand and making a mudra with the right hand. His robe is decorated with four-clawed dragons...
Japanese cast iron sake kettle (choshi) with the characteristic flattened spout decorated in low relief on one side with prunus blossoms and on the other side with bamboo. The wooden lid is covered with stippled lacquer. These iron kettles were used to heat sake during the cold winter months. Flower form finial. Meiji period (19th century). Measures about 7 3/4" to the top of the handle and about 9 1/2" across to the tip of the spout. The kettle is in very good overall condition...
Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada), depicting a heavily tattoed actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of Omatsuri Sashichi in a scene from kabuki theater. The cartouche at the upper right holds the series and image title "Mitate Tsuki Zukushi: Musashi no Tsuki" (Collection of the Full Moon Parodied: The Moon over Musashi)...
Chinese bronze tripod ding censor with two upright arched loop handles at the rim. A geometric band encircles the rounded body. A comparison with porcelain forms suggests a dating of S. Song to Yuan dynasty for this vessel. 5 1/8"H x 3 3/4" diameter. There are original casting flaws on the legs and a slight dent in the body (see enlargement 6). This piece is from a Tucson, Arizona estate.
Chinese Qing dynasty Yongzheng period (1723-1735) export porcelain hemispherical form punch bowl decorated with famille rose overglaze enamels and gilt highlights set against a white porcelain ground. A floral spray is in the center and a band of flowers, bamboo, and geometric forms decorates the interior rim...
Oversized Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) of a tengu mask titled “Mayoke Tengu” (also known as "Tengu-shaped Amulet") by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992). The print is pencil-signed “Yoshitoshi Mori,” dated ’87, and numbered 10/50. The artist’s red seal is above the signature. The known paper size is about 17”V x 27 1/4”H. The framed size is 19"V x 28 1/2"H...
Chinese Kangxi period (1662-1722) globular form export porcelain lidded teapot with straight spout, loop handle, and domed cover decorated overall with panels of flowering plants in the Imari palette of underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze red pigments with gilt highlights set against a white porcelain ground. Circa 1700. Measures 5 5/8” from handle to spout and 4 ¼” in height. Very good overall condition...
Japanese plique-a-jour cloisonne enamel vase densely decorated with a bouquet of flowers set against a celadon green background. Chrome rims. Dates from the Occupation period (1945-1960). Measures about 3 3/4"H x 3" diameter. Very good overall condition. There is a faint interior stress crack at the shoulder that cannot be felt (see enlargements 6 and 7). The neck is very slightly tilted.
Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) of a samurai titled “Tobacco Pipe” (Kiseru) by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992). The warrior grasps his sword with one hand and holds his smoking pipe with the other. The print is pencil-signed “Y. Mori,” dated ’86, and numbered 11/70. The artist’s red seal is above the signature. The paper measures 15 3/4”V x 19”H. This print is in very good overall condition...
Japanese woodblock print triptych of swimming turtles and fish with actor mons and human faces by Yoshu Chikanobu (1838-1912) dated 5th month of Meiji 19 (1886). The convention of disguising portraits of actors arose in the Edo period when bust portraits of actors were banned, through the Tempo Reforms of 1841-1843, for being conspicuous and a detriment to public morality. Each panel measures about 14"V x 9 1/8"H. The print is in good overall condition with fading evident...
Chinese Qing dynasty Daoguang period (1821-1850) geyao type porcelain censer of compressed bombe form with thick flat rim and two animal-mask handles at the sides. The pale gray glaze, covered overall with the characteristic black and brown crackles, completely covers the interior of the censer and the exterior of the ringed foot and extends part way down the interior foot of the recessed unglazed base. Measures 5” diameter from handle to handle and stands 2 ½” high. This piece is from a...
Japanese Meiji period woodblock print depicting William Howard Taft viewing a sumo match during his 1905 diplomatic mission to Japan. With Taft weighing in at over 300 lbs., this print is likely offering a subtle comparison between Taft and the wrestler. This print is unsigned and undated. 14 3/4"V x 10 3/8"H. Very good color and impression quality. Good overall condition with pigment transference at the upper left corner, some minor soiling, and a few small holes and thinned areas. The pr...
Rare Edo period Japanese namazu-e (earthquake fish picture) woodblock print featuring a giant human-like catfish receiving punishment after being found guilty by a judge for causing the Ansei earthquake of 1855. A group of human-like catfish watch as the punishment is being meted out. In Japanese mythology, it was believed that giant catfish living underground caused earthquakes with their thrashing movements. A series of namazu-e were published anonymously in Japan shortly after the Ansei ea...
Two rare Chinese Song dynasty qingbai (yingqing) glazed porcelain dishes of chrysanthemum form with thinly potted bodies, an upturned rim divided into twelve lobed petals by vertical ribs, and flat, slightly concave unglazed bases. Circa 10th - 11th century. 4 1/8” diameter. There are a few tiny flea bites at the rim which are visible under magnification and there are a few old hairline cracks that appear to be stable. From the private collection of a former American expatriate to Guangzhou in...
Oversized, humorous Japanese limited edition woodblock print by Clifton Karhu (1927-2007) depicting the smiling, cross-eyed artist standing under a torn umbrella in the rain holding a broken shoe. This print illustrates the Zen saying “Hibi kore kojitsu” (Every day is a good day). The print is pencil-signed, titled “Every Day,” dated ’88, and numbered 57/100 in the lower margin. Paper size: 25 1/8”V x 9 1/8”H (image about 23 1/2” x 7 7/8”). Excellent color and very good ov...
Rare Edo period Japanese namazu-e (earthquake fish picture) woodblock print featuring a giant human-like catfish playing a samisen beside an oni (demon) who is seated casually reading a book. In Japanese mythology, it was believed that giant catfish living underground caused earthquakes with their thrashing movements. A series of namazu-e were published anonymously in Japan shortly after the Ansei earthquake hit Edo (now Tokyo) in 1855. The prints were believed to offer protection against fut...
Rare Japanese woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) depicting Onoe Kikugoro V as Nikki Danjo, the archvillain of kabuki roles, transforming himself magically into a rat. The kabuki play “Meibuku Sendai Hagi” (“The Disputed Succession”), deals with an assassination attempt on Tsuruchiyo, a child who had inherited the position as head of a Semdai clan. A stolen scroll containing a list of assassination conspirators is in Nikki Danjo’s mouth. Pub...
Sino-Japanese War triptych of a naval battle scene at Wei-hai-wei featuring an embattled Chinese ship at the center surrounded by the Japanese fleet. Several final blasts sink the ship and send the Chinese soldiers into the ocean. The black ink signature of the artist is barely visible at the lower right and is possibly Kobayashi Ikuhide (active 1885-1898). The specific date is not filled in on the cartouche, but is 1894-1895. The assembled size is about 27 7/8"H x 14 1/4"V. Each panel meas...
Russo-Japanese War triptych illustrating the surprise attack on Russia’s Far Eastern Fleet at Port Arthur that initiated the war. A large torpedo-boat is at the center. Two Russian ships at the upper left have been hit and are sinking. Three Japanese battleships are at the upper right. The title cartouche at the upper right describes the scene in both Japanese and English as “On the night of the 8th of February 1904, our brave fleet of torpedo-boats fired at the Russian squadron at Port ...
Chinese late Ming (16th/17th century) Zhangzhou (Swatow) porcelain deep charger decorated in iron-red, green, and black overglaze enamels on a cream-colored crackle glaze ground with a central roundel holding flowering peonies. A band containing four floral panels against a crossed line ground extends around the circumference of the rim. 13" diameter x 2 3/4" high. There is significant wear to the enamels and several very old rim chips (see enlargements 6 and 7). There is a fine quality restorat...
Japanese Yokohama woodblock print triptych illustrating the interior of an American steamship by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870) published by Maruya Jinpachi in 1861. In this design, the artist utilizes the traditional Japanese convention of “roofless architecture” which allows the contents of the ship to be visible. Inside, westerners are seated at a long table having a dinner party. The assembled size is 14 5/8"V x 29 1/4"H (each panel is about 14 5/8"V x 10"H). Good overall c...
Japanese Limited edition etching with aquatint of a traditional Japanese farmhouse covered in snow titled “Tamba” by Brian Williams (b. 1950). The print is pencil-signed, titled, numbered 170/180, and dated ‘93 along the bottom margin. Paper size: 10 1/4"V x 14"H (image about 5”V x 8 ¼”H). Excellent condition. There are two pieces of archival tape at the top edge verso. Born in Peru, Brian Williams has been living and working in Japan since 1972. A Japanese frame with archival mat ...
Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga woodblock print by Tadashi Nakayama (b. 1927) titled “Rainbow Butterflies” featuring Nakayama’s daughter’s face in profile with butterflies in flight around her. This image is pencil-signed “T. Nakayama,” numbered 34/95, and dated 1983 in the bottom margin. The bottom margin edge also contains the. The red Nakayama seal is verso. A color illustration of this image can be found on plate 205 of “T. Nakayama” published in 1989. According to this...
Historically important Japanese woodblock print triptych depicting the landing of foreigners of the “Five Treaty Nations” in Yokohama by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870). The print features soldiers and civilians from America, England, France, Russia, and The Netherlands grouped together with their respective flag and label. Two Chinese compradores, who facilitated trade, are in the foreground and western ships line the harbor in the background. The print is signed “Issen Yoshik...
Japanese Meiji period Yokohama woodblock print depicting Okiyo, the daughter of a gardener in Mukojima, meeting with a foreigner who desired her to be his concubine. This print is illustration no. 661 from the newspaper series “Yubin Hochi Shimbun” (Postal News) by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) published by Kinshôdô (Kumagai) the 4th month of 1875. 14 1/2"V x 9 3/4"H. Excellent color and very good overall condition with margins evident. The print has been stored away from sunlight and...
19th century Japanese Yokohama woodblock print depicting the famous Italian painter and printmaker Titian showing a bust portrait to a patron. This image is from a series of anonymous educational prints published in the early Meiji period that related to important Westerners. The print is unsigned and undated. 13 1/2"V x 9 7/8"H. Very good overall condition with margins evident. The print is not backed and has been stored away from sunlight. As the picture of the back shows, this image is ...
Rare Japanese Meiji period woodblock print triptych of the Tokyo-Ueno/Yamashita Train and Ueno Station from the series “Famous Places in Tokyo” by Utagawa Kunitoshi (flourished 1847-1899) dated 1st month of Meiji 22 (1889). The triptych is bound in the original folder and has not been exposed to sunlight. "Enlightenment" prints of the 1880's - 1890's promoted modernization and illustrated the westernization of Japan. The Japanese built their first railroad in 1872. It became a symbol of ...
Oversized Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga woodblock print by Tadashi Nakayama (b. 1927) titled “Butterflies and Trumpet” featuring Nakayama’s daughter’s face in profile beside a trumpet with butterflies in flight around her. This image is pencil-signed “T. Nakayama,” numbered 45/95, and dated 1985 in the bottom margin. The bottom margin edge also contains the title and original purchase price of 270,000 yen. The red Nakayama seal is verso. A color illustration of this image ca...
Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) by Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992) titled “Goro in the Rain” (“Ame no Goro”) dated 1980. This boldly colorful kabuki theater image features an actor portraying Soga Goro, one of two historic samurai brothers who avenge the death of their father. In this image, Soga Goro is dressed in fine clothing and holds an umbrella though no rain is evident. He is apparently travelling to the pleasure quarter to visit a courtesan. ...
8 3/8" high Japanese treebark vase decorated on the front with a landscape motif. Tree-bark (Jitaisome Jippo) is a form of ceramic cloisonne in which the colors are done using lacquer rather than enamel. Using lacquer to cover the porcelain jar to resemble treebark, the wires are set into the lacquer to form the designs and the cells are filled with lacquer and polished. This lacquer is not fired. Dates from the Taisho to early Showa period. There is a very worn unidentified stamped mark on the ...
Cement mortar block print pencil-titled "Poem 71-82" (indicating production in 1971) by Maki Haku (1924-2000). Limited edition print numbered 40/202. Pencil-signed in the lower margin. The artist's square red seal is at the lower left corner of the image. This print features the highly embossed ideographs characteristic of Maki's work. The designs were created by inscribing on wet cement. Paper size: 12"V x 8 3/4"H (image size: 10 1/2"V x 7 1/4"H). Very good overall condition. The top back margi...
Large Chinese Jin dynasty (1125-1234) Henan globular form stoneware jar with a high neck decorated on opposite sides of the shoulder with two appliqué dragons running around the circumference of the horizontally ribbed body. The interior is fully glazed and the exterior glaze stops well above the unglazed base. The rich black/brown glaze, referred to as “temmoku” by the Japanese, is permeated with russet accents. 7 3/4" high x 9" diameter.
Chinese Yuan to early Ming dynasty very heavily potted melon form sugary textured pale bluish-white porcelain lidded teapot decorated with moulded stylized birds on opposing sides. A prominent luting line is visible around the mid-section of the ribbed body and the interior is glazed. Small loops are at the edge of the lid and top of the rounded handle for attachment. The slightly concave unglazed base and old firing flaws have oxidized burnt orange. Circa 14th century. 4 3/8” high (to to...
Unusually large Chinese late Qing compressed globular form incense burner with slightly everted rim supported by three short legs and covered overall with an amber-colored monochrome crackled glaze that extends to cover the bottom of the feet. The glaze drips down the walls into the unglazed interior. This censer is likely from a South China kiln. A custom-made heavy hardwood stand is included. Estimated to date from the 19th century. 10” diameter x 4 38” high (7” high including the s...